A-level Biology

• What type of reaction creates polysaccharides?

  Condensation reactions
• From what type of monomer are starch, cellulose, and glycogen created?

  Glucose monomers
• In what organisms is starch found?

  Plants
• What is the primary function of starch in plants?

  Storage of glucose
• What is the function of cellulose found in plants?

  Structural strength
• In what organisms is glycogen found?

  Animals
• What is the function of glycogen in animals?

  Storage of glucose
• What key points should you consider when comparing the three polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, and glycogen)?

  • Monomers
  • Bonds
  • Function
  • Location
  • Structure
  • Link between structure and function
• From what type of glucose are the polymers that create starch made?

  Alpha glucose
• What are the two polymers that create starch?

  Amylose and amylopectin
• How does the glycosidic bond position affect polysaccharide structure?

  It creates different structures
• Where are starch grains specifically found within plant cells?

  Inside of chloroplasts
• Why is starch considered an important storage molecule in plants?

  It's an insoluble store of glucose
• What type of reactions create amylose?

  Condensation reactions
• Between which carbon atoms does the glycosidic bond form in amylose?

  Carbon 1 and carbon 4
• What is the structure of amylose?

  An unbranched chain that coils
• What type of reactions form amylopectin?

  Condensation reactions
• What type of glycosidic bonds are found in the straight chain portions of amylopectin?

  1-4 glycosidic bonds
• What type of glycosidic bonds cause the branching in amylopectin?

  1-6 glycosidic bonds
• How does amylopectin's structure differ from amylose's structure?

  Amylopectin is branched
• From what type of glucose is glycogen formed?

  Alpha glucose
• Where is glycogen found in animals?

  Muscle and liver cells
• What is the primary function of glycogen in animals?

  Insoluble store of glucose
• How does the structure of glycogen compare to amylopectin?

  It is very similar
• What glycosidic bonds are present in glycogen?

  1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
• What is a key structural difference between glycogen and amylopectin?

  Glycogen is more branched
• What is the monomer of cellulose?

  Beta glucose
• Where is cellulose located in plants?

  Cell walls
• What function does cellulose provide to plant cells?

  Structural strength
• What does cellulose prevent the cell from doing when it becomes turgid?

  Bursting
• What type of glycosidic bonds are found in cellulose?

  1-4 glycosidic bonds
• What is the arrangement of beta glucose molecules in cellulose chains?

  Long straight chains
• What type of bonds hold cellulose chains together?

  Hydrogen bonds
• What structure is formed when long straight chains of beta glucose are held together by hydrogen bonds?

  Fibril
• How do hydrogen bonds contribute to the strength of the cell wall?

  Collectively, they provide strength
• Which monomers are found in starch and glycogen?

  Alpha glucose
• What is the monomer found in cellulose?

  Beta glucose
• What glycosidic bond forms in amylose?

  1-4 glycosidic bonds
• What glycosidic bonds are found in amylopectin?

  1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
• What glycosidic bond is found in cellulose?

  1-4 glycosidic bonds